BBC issues an apology for its obscene joke during its broadcast of the FA Cup

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Unexpected situation

The BBC has issued an apology after their coverage of an FA Cup football game was tainted by loud sexual noises played during the broadcasters' live broadcast.

"We apologise to any viewers offended during the live coverage of the football this evening. We are investigating how this happened." A BBC spokesperson posted.

The host, Gary Lineker, later claimed in a tweet that the groaning sounds were made by a disguised phone that had been "taped to the rear of the set" in the studio with a view of the Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux stadium's playing field.

The awkward occurrence happened prior to the start of Tuesday night's third-round repeat game between Wolves and Liverpool. The background commotion started when Lineker and analysts Paul Ince and Danny Murphy discussed the match.

The joke temporarily caught the presenter off guard, and he battled to maintain his composure as he switched to colleague and fellow former England striker Alan Shearer in the commentary gantry.

As the commotion persisted, Lineker attempted to laugh it off and said to Shearer:

"Somebody’s sending something on someone’s phone, I think. I don’t know whether you heard it at home."

Lineker's tweet

Lineker tweeted a picture of the phone minutes into the first half of the game, adding:

"Well, we found this taped to the back of the set. As sabotage goes, it was quite amusing."

Liverpool prevailed 1-0; the game's lone goal was scored in the opening period. As the incident was captured on camera and widely publicized on social media, viewers caught wind of the trick. Daniel Jarvis, a self-described YouTube prankster, claimed responsibility for the act by tweeting a video that appeared to show him at the Molineux TV studio.

Alan Shearer’s compliments about Harvey Elliott’s performance

Harvey Elliott's spectacular goal for Liverpool against Wolverhampton Wanderers gave his team a 1-0 lead, and Alan Shearer responded to it.

"Well, what a strike that is. Straight from one end to the other. Wolves on the attack, Liverpool having none of it and then hit them back." - the former Newcastle United hero was gushing about the 19-year-old after he scored an incredible goal in the FA Cup replay's 13th minute.

"If he had looked to his right-hand side, you know, he would have seen James Milner in acres of space. And I was thinking, is he going to pass it? Can he see him? Not a chance. No other thought than getting his shot away. What a strike that is! No other thought in his mind, is there. He’s not passing that. Head down. Left foot. Sees the keep six yards out. In the back of the net. What a strike." – he added.

Recent weeks have seen criticism of the former Fulham starlet's midfield displays for Liverpool. Elliott proved why he is more than capable of succeeding at the highest level for the Reds in a more aggressive role by starting tonight on the right side.

Harvey Elliott

Due to his lack of natural speed, the 19-year-old may not be ideal for playing on the wing, but he clearly enjoys playing higher up the field. The ideal position for this is at number 10, but Jurgen Klopp's team rarely lines up in such a manner.

In any case, Elliott demonstrated why, rather than as a deep-lying midfielder, he should be a viable option for the last third. This will give the young person confidence moving forward after recent criticism. It might even motivate other young players to compete even harder for a spot in Liverpool's starting lineup.